MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 




PS 3521 
.1513 
1155 
1920 
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No. 388 


Miss Marmaduke’s 

Reirni 



A PLAY FOR WOMEN IN TWO 

ACTS 

BY 

/ 

BEULAH KING 

COPYRIGHT, 1820, BY SAMUEL FRENCH 


Amateurs may produce this play without payment of 
royalty. All other rights reserved. 




PRICE 30 CENTS 


New York 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

28 — 30 West 38th Street 


London 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 
26 Southampton Street 
STRAND 


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Miss Marmaduke’s 

Reign 

A PLAY FOR WOMEN IN TWO 

ACTS 


By 

BEULAH KING 


Copyright, 1920, by Samuel French 


Amateurs may produce this play without payment of 
royalty. All other rights reserved. 


New York: 
SAMUEL FRENCH 
Publisher 

28-30 West 38th Street 


London : 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 
26 Southampton Street 
Strand 


! 



©Gi.0 560 1$ 2 


NOV 20 1920 

. \ 

> 

C 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 


Mary Pratt. 
Frances Pratt, 
Grace Pratt. 
Polly Pratt. 

Miss Marmaduke. 



Miss Marmaduke’s Reign 

Scene. The living-room in the Pratt home ; in the 
c. of the r. (stage rJ wall is a single door 
leading into the hall and directly opposite in 
the l. wall a door leading into the library. A 
large ( practical ) window c. rear looks out upon 
the avenue . Beneath the window a spacious 
zvindow seat furnished with numerous pillows . 
At the r. of the window seat a small table dec- 
orated with ornaments of good taste ; at the l. 
of the window seat bookshelves containing 
books. Down stage r. a reading table with 
lamp and easy chair to the r. of it; to the l. of 
it a smaller chair. In front of the bookcase a 
chair and down stage l. another. Electric light 
button in the r. wall to the l. of the door. 

At the rise of the curtain Frances is seated in the 
easy chair , Mary and Grace on the windozv 
seat and Polly in chair down l. They are 
very pretty girls and dressed in excellent taste. 
Polly perhaps is the most unusual type, hav- 
ing that kind of beauty which is set off to best 
advantage in the ruffled styles of our grand- 
mother’s day, which, alas, she does not acquire. 
They are all young, Mary, the oldest, being 
twenty-two. 

Mary. Well ! 

Frances. Well ! 

Mary. What do you think of her? 

Grace. (With a sigh) She looks determined. 

5 


6 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


Polly. (In a high , wee voice ) So I thought. 

Mary. Still, she can't treat us like children. 
I’m twenty-two. 

Frances. What does she wear her hair so skin 
tight for? You might know she was an old 
maid. 

Mary. And such clothes ! She looks as if she 
came out of the ark. 

Grace. I’m sure I shall hate her. (Rising and 
coming down to the easy chair) Oh, dear, why did 1 
Mrs. Lee have to go away? We were getting on 
swimmingly with her and now we don’t know a thing 
about this woman except that she’s a friend of 
Cousin Sue’s. 

Frances. That’s enough. 

Grace. I call it a shame. I told dad we didn’t 
need anyone. 

Mary. But he wouldn’t go away and leave us 
all alone for six whole months. 

Frances. Well, I suppose we’ve got to put up 
with her. 

Grace. If only we could marry her off to Colo- 
nel Amberson. 

Mary. Grace Pratt ! 

Grace. Well, he’s tried to pay attention to every 
housekeeper we ever had, hasn’t he? When Miss 
Hatteron arrived didn’t he come right over to pay 
his compliments, as he said, and then stick around 
until 

Frances. I always thought Miss Hatteron liked 
him and, really, Grace, he isn’t half bad, rather gal- 
lant, I think. 

Grace. Then when Mrs. Lee came — she hadn’t 
been here a month before he was a steady caller, 
said widows were fascinating and all that. Oh, don’t 
you fret. He’ll find something fascinating about 
old maids, too. 


7 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 

Mary. Really Miss Marmaduke wouldn’t be so 

bad 

Grace. (With finality) She’s impossible. 

Frances. Absolutely. 

Polly. Of course (Enter Miss Marma- 

duke at r. She is a slim, plain-faced spinster of 
forty , in dress fifty years behind the time and has 
the air of one who has a tremendous task before 
her. The girls rise ) 

Miss M. So you are all here. That’s fortunate, 
because I want to have a talk with you. (She 
comes down stage and takes the chair at the l. of 
the table) Draw up your chairs around me. ("Polly 
brings down the chair by the bookcase and places 
it beside Miss M. Frances sits in the armchair, 
Mary in the chair down stage l. ( and Grace perches 
on the arm of Frances’s chair. Miss M. surveys 
them solemnly) Of course you are no longer chil- 
dren and you must understand the grave responsi- 
bility that your papa has put upon me in leaving me 
in charge of his four daughters. 

Frances. ( Sweetly ) Poor papa. 

Miss M. He wishes the best for your welfare 
but, of course, being a man, he cannot know what 
is good for you and so he has put you entirely in 
my charge to do whatever I say. That is why I 
call it a grave, a very grave responsibility. You 
can make it as hard or as easy as you wish, but I 
will tell you right now my methods are not Mrs. 
Lees methods^ In fact I feel proud to say they 
are very superior. You have had too much free- 
dom. (Sly glances among the girls) In my day 

young girls were not allowed to run about as they 
wished. J 

P° LL Y. But times have changed ! (In a forlorn 
little voice ) 

Miss M. (Ignoring the remark) Then in the 


8 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


matter of your wardrobes. They are too elabor- 
ate. Simplicity in dress is what you must acquire. 
Through Cousin Sue I have known of your extrava- 
gances. And so I shall purchase your winter 
outfits. 

Frances. (Protesting ) But, Miss Marmaduke, 
we always pick out our own dresses and things. 

Miss M. You mean you always have until now, 
but while I am here you are to dress according 
to my taste. ('Polly, unable to control herself , 
snickers ) 

Mary. It’s nothing to laugh about. 

Miss M. As I came through Boston I bought 
several serviceable garments 

Grace. But Pm sure papa 

Miss M. Your father, my dear, has been con- 
sulted in this matter, as in all others, and he quite 
agrees with me. In fact he expressly told me to 
purchase for you what I saw fit, which I have 
done. ^Mary rises in disgust and goes to window 
seat ) And concerning your hair. ( Regarding each 
head ) You might as well know first as last what 
I think of your hair. It is simply atrocious. While 
I am in this house I cannot allow you, any of you, 
to wear those lumps of hair over your ears. Your 
hair, like your dress, should be simply done and 
I must ask you to show your ears. 

Frances. I sha’n’t, because mine are ugly. 

Miss M. That is no fault of yours, my dear, as 
any sensible person would know. If Nature gave 
you ugly ears, surely you are not to blame. 

Frances. But I can help Nature out by covering 
them up. ^Mary comes down and stands by table ) 

Miss M. That is dishonest. 

Frances. It isn’t. Besides, it’s the style to wear 
your hair this way. 

Miss M. Then I can only say it is an atrocious 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


9 


style and one I will not put up with. As I said be- 
fore, my ideas are not Mrs. Lee’s, but they are good 
ideas, excellent ideas. I was brought up under 

thfem. 

Polly. (Naively) But they didn’t get you a 
husband. ( Girls smile ) 

Miss M. My dear child, that is to my credit. 
The getting of a husband is the concern of the vul- 
gar. (Telephone rings) 

Mary. It’s for me. (She starts toward door 

at r.) 

Grace. Tom? 

Mary. Of course not. Dick. Excuse me. ( She 
goes out at r.) 

Polly. ( Evidently puzzle'd ) Dick ? But she 

said 

Frances. Plush. 

Miss M. (With emphasis) So I shall attempt to 
plant in you the ideas I was brought up under, and 
which have made me what I am. ( Sly glances among 
the girls) As to 3/our manners I shall attend to 
those personally. The chief attribute of a young 
girl is modesty. I shall see that you acquire it. I 
should judge you are all somewhat bold. Of course, 
it is understood you might be, having been brought 
up by such a woman as Mrs. Lee. 

Mary. (Protesting ) Mrs. Lee was a dear. 

Polly. (Triumphantly ) But she got three hus- 
bands. 

Miss M. Only proof of what I said. My dear, 
you must get such ideas out of your head. I shall 
consider it my duty to remove them. (Door bell 
rings ) 

Grace. ( Rising ) It’s for me. 

Frances. Who’s coming? Max? 

Grace. Urn-urn. Excuse me. (She runs off at 

&) 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


10 

Miss M. ( As yet unperturbed ) You must have 
something else to think about. Of course you will 
want to attend concerts and lectures, and get your 
minds on more serious things. It is the only way 
to remove such nonsense. (Telephone rings) 

Frances. (Rising) It's for me. 

Polly. Paul ? 

Frances. Of course. Who else would it be? 
( She goes off at r.) 

Miss M. ( For the first aware of the situation ) 
Paul ? Paul ? And who is Paul ? And what is the 
meaning of all this bell ringing? 

Polly. Paul is going to marry Fan. 

Miss M. (Rising) What! 

Polly. ( Still calmly ) Paul is going to marry 
Fan. He loves her very much and she loves him, 
oh, he-aps ! 

Miss M. I must attend to this at once. How 
long has this affair been going on ? 

Polly. (With a little sigh) Oh, ever since I 
can remember. 

Miss M. (Starting toward the door at l.) 
Where is Frances? 

Polly. (Running after Miss MJ You mustn’t 
disturb them. Fan has an awful temper. 

Miss M. Pm not afraid of her temper. This 
must stop. 

Polly. ( Catching her by the arm and using 
strategy to delay her) Mary has a beau, too. 

Miss M. (Stopping suddenly and facing Polly J 
What ! 

Polly. It’s Dick Harrington now. It was Tom 
Fearing and really it’s a draw which one she’ll 
marry. (Miss M. raises her hands in horror ) And 
then Grace — she has one, too, and he comes here all 
the time. 

Miss M. There must be a stop put to such ac- 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


ii 


tions. This is dreadful — dreadful! ( Polly weeps) 
Don’t sniffle, child. It makes me nervous. I know 
it’s a dreadful state of affairs and one well worthy 
of your tears. 

Polly. I’m not crying' for that. 

Miss M. Not crying for that? Then in heaven’s 
name what are you crying for? 

Polly. (Coming doivn front) Be-because I 
haven’t a b-beau, t-too. 

Miss M. Well, of all things. ( Shaking her 
gently ) Now look here, Polly. Dry your eyes at 
once and look straight at me. t 

Polly. I don’t want to. 

Miss M. Do as I say. Come. (She waits while 
Polly wipes her eyes then looks up at her shyly ) 
There. That’s better. I’m going to tell you some- 
thing and give you some good advice. 

Polly. (Submissively) Yes? 

Miss M. ( Impressively ) Don’t have a beau. 
Men are selfish bears. 

Polly. How do you know? 

Miss M. How do I know? Haven’t I seen my 
cousins’ sisters’ nieces’ husbands? A woman is far 
better off single. Look at me. And see what an 
independent person I am. Had I married 

Polly. But I like the men ! 

Miss M. That can be easily overcome. You will 
see when I take you in hand. 

Polly. Didn’t — didn’t you ever have a beau? 

Miss M. Never! 

Polly. But — but didn’t you ever want one? 

Miss M. No! 

(Enter Mary and Grace from rJ 

Miss M. ( Glowering ) Girls, I see I must con- 
tinue my talk with you and upon a subject I had 


12 MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 

hoped would be quite unnecessary. Where is 
Frances ? 

Mary. In the library with Paul. ( Grace sits 
in armchair) 

Polly. Pll entertain him for her while she comes 
in to hear what Miss Marmaduke has to say, because 
I know all about the subject. 

Miss M. ( Catching Polly by the arm ) Grace, 
call your sister, and let that young whippersnapper 
wait. He might as well learn how at once. ^Polly 
weeps again ) There, Polly, if you’re going to cry, 
go upstairs to your chamber. That’s the place for 
such unseemly behavior. Go. ( Polly goes off at 
L. Mary sits in chair at l. of table ) 

Grace. (Who has not moved) Polly’s acting 
terribly strange of late, mopes, won’t eat and weeps 
if you look at her. 

Mary. ( Smiling ) She’s in love. 

Miss M. What ! 

Grace. (To Mary ) Do you think she is — with 
that artist? 

Miss M. (In a voice that demands an answer ) 
What artist? 

Grace. An artist who has just come here. I 
don’t know what his name is. 

Miss M. Merciful heavens ! An artist. . . . 
Grace, I asked you to call your sister. ( Grace rises 
slowly and goes off at l.) 

Mary. But he’s terribly nice, Miss Marmaduke. 

Miss M. I have my opinion of artists, my dear, 
formed years ago and it lias never changed. ( She 
sits in the chair at l. of table , very straight , tapping 
her left hand with the fingers of her right ) 

Mary. We had intended to ask him here for tea. 

Miss M. Mary, I must forbid it. ( Enter Grace 
and Frances,) Sit down, girls. (TjRace takes the 
armchair and Frances the chair beside Miss M.y 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


13 


We are about to discuss a serious matter, in short — 
your beaux. ( Pause ) I cannot allow them to come 
here. 


Frances. What ! 

Miss M. (Who has fortified herself ) Hush! I 
made the solemn promise to your father that not one 
of you should become engaged while he was away 
and I intend to live up to it. ("Frances rises and 
goes to window in disgust ) Of course that means 
no men calling here. 

Mary. (Facing Miss MJ I call it outrageous. 
I shall write papa. ("Polly enters and flops on the 
window seat. Fan comes to table) 

Grace. So shall I. Why, the very idea of such 
a thing. Max will die. 

Miss M. You may write, all of you, but it will 
make no difference as your father and I have come 
to a decision in the matter. 

Polly. (Who has been gazing out the window) 
Oh ! ( She is startled at what she has done and at- 
tempts to smother the cry but too late ) 

Grace. (Turning) For goodness’ sake, Polly, 
what is the matter with you ? 

Mary. (Rushing to window) Who is it? (The 
other girls follow ) 

Frances. Oh, isn’t he grand! Don’t you just 
love the way he strides along like a conquering 
hero. (During the ensuing conversation Miss M. 
stares at their backs as if by so doing she could 
bring them back to their senses ) 

Grace. I bet he’s a regular cave man. 

Frances. He looks as if he could master any- 
thing. 


Mary. I don’t think he’s half so masterful as 
Dick. 


Grace. What ! 
Mary. What ! 



14 MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 

Polly. He is, too. He’s a lot taller and bigger. 

Frances. I just love those army raincoats, espe- 
cially on thin men. 

Mary. Have you seen Dick in his? 

Grace. ( Starting back from the window ) Oh, 
he turned around. (They all face about together 
and confront Miss M. Silence for a moment while 
she glowers ) ' 

Miss M. Go to your rooms, all of you. (They 
go out in line at the l., Polly being the last ) 

Miss M. ( Just as Polly reaches the threshold ) 
Polly, you may remain. Come here. ( Polly comes 
back ) I don’t want to hear another word about 
this artist. You have lost your senses. I couldn’t 
help overhearing the remark you made about artis- 
tic clothing yesterday. The wardrobe I have 
brought for you will arrive this week and I assure 
you it will create no artistic effects. When you 
come down to tea your curls are to be smoothed 
out and away from your face. 

Polly. But my hair is my one asset. (It isn’t. 
She has many ) 

Miss M. There will be no one to appreciate your 
assets while I am here. Now you may go. (Door 
bell rings) If that’s a young man he might as well 
learn first as last that he is not to come here. 

Polly. (To herself) IT IS HE! 

Miss M. (Shaking her) Polly Pratt, you need 
a sound spanking. I can’t seem to make an impres- 
sion on you by words. In my day 

( Enter Mary much excited ) 

Mary. Miss Marmaduke, it’s Colonel Amberson ! 

Miss M. If it’s another young man 

Mary. It isn’t. He’s forty-five. (Frances and 
Grace appear at door at l.) 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 15 

Miss M. That’s worse. Tell him he is not to 
come here to see you. 

Mary. But he doesn’t want to see me. He has 
come to see you. 

Miss M. (With rising inflections ) To see ME? 

Mary. And he’s brought a most gorgeous bou- 
quet of flowers from his hot-house. I — I think he 
must have been quite taken with you the day you 
arrived. 

Polly. He was looking out the window at you. 
I saw him. 

Mary. (To Miss M.J How shall I get rid of 

him? 

Miss M. GET RID OF HIM? 

Mary. I mean, shall I tell him no men allowed? 

Miss M. Well, of course, in this case it’s a little 
different. I — I think perhaps I’d better see him at 
least to thank him for his kindness. ( She goes off 
at r. rather grandly ) 

Girls. ( Coming to the c. of the stage ) Well, 
of all things ! 


CURTAIN 


The chairs 


ACT II 

Scene. Sarn-e as Act I. Lights on. 
have been put back in place. 

0- 

Time. Two months later. It is evening. 

At the rise of the curtain the stage is empty. Pres- 
ently Grace enters from r., goes to the win- 
dow , pulls aside the shade and peers out into 
the darkness. She is dressed in a frock that 
has all the appearance of having been unearthed 
from some attic chest. Her hair is combed 
back very straight and smooth. However , she 
is still attractive. Presently Mary and Fan, 
similarly gowned , and coiffed, enter at l. 

Frances. Here you are. f Grace turns) Poor 
dear. Did you get word to Max ? 

Grace. (Coming down front) Of course not, 
and I don’t know what he thinks. 

Mary. (Follozving her and putting an arm about 
her ) He thinks Miss Marmaduke is an ogre, that’s 
what he thinks. (^Frances sits on window seat) 

Grace. Well, then he thinks right. I think it’s 
awful cooped up here. 

Mary. I write to Dick. We have a postoffice all 
of our own in the big apple tree. 

Grace. For pity’s sake, how did you manage it? 

Mary. ( Going over and sitting in the armchair ) 
Oh, I did, and I’ve got a whole drawerful of the 

16 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 17 

loveliest billets doux. Dick writes a lot nicer things 
than he ever said. ( Grace sits on window seat ) 

Frances. (In the voice of despair) Does he 
ever mention Paul? (She. comes down and leans 
on the hack of the armchair ) 

Mary. Only that he was pining away for a 
glimpse of you. 

Frances. He wouldn’t if he knew how I looked. 

Mary. Oh, yes, and he did say he thought you 
might manage to see him. 

Frances. Manage to see him ? How can I with 
that tyrant about? Only the other day when I at- 
tempted to put on my real clothes — just for old 
time’s sake — she caught me. 

Grace. I just know Max has another girl and 
we were almost engaged. 

Mary. Hush, I don’t believe he has. Dick said 
he wasn’t at the dance. 

Frances. Dick? What was Dick doing at the 
dance ? 

Mary. He had to go. His mother was matron 
and depended on him. And you need not insinuate 
things because they don’t annoy me in the least. 

Frances. It’s nice to be so sure of anyone. 

Mary. ( Loftily ) Well, why shouldn’t I be sure 
of him ? We’re engaged. m 

Frances. Engaged ! 

Grace. Engaged ! ( Grace comes down front ) 

Mary. Um-um. (With pride) I met him down 
by the apple tree the other night and — he — asked — 

me f Frances comes round and sits on the arm 

of Mary’s chair and Grace leans on the hack of it) 
Oh, it was heavenly. ( Smiling ) The moon was 
shining and everything looked all silvery, and then 
it was thrilling to think of Marmaduke and know 
that perhaps at that very moment she would come 
upon us and separate us. He just couldn’t help pro- 


i8 MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


posing. It’s things like that that make a man come 
to his senses. 

Frances. (Seriously ) I believe it is. 

Mary. Of course I always knew he was fond of 
me, but I never thought of our courtship as roman- 
tic before. So much better than a proposal in the 
drawing-room. 

Frances. Are you going to meet Dick to-night? 

Mary. Sh ! Yes, at nine. 

Frances. Would — would you ask him to tell 
Paul to meet me at the apple tree at nine-thirty ? 

Mary. Of course, you poor dear. I would have 
had him tell him before but I haven’t dared speak 
of this to a soul. 

Grace. And — and would you ask him to tell 
Max to meet me there at ten ? 

Frances. Ten, Gracie dear! Good heavens, 
you’ll be locked out. Lights out at ten sharp — Mar- 
maduke’s orders. 

Grace. I don’t care. One of you can let me in. 

Mary. Of course. Marmaduke will be in the 
land of nod. 

Frances. (To Mary) You don’t wear that rig 
at these meetings? 

Mary. I should say not. 

Grace. I’m going up to look for my black vel- 
vet. Ta-ta. ( She runs off at l.) 

Mary. ( Calling after her ) Be careful. Don’t 
get rash now. 

- Grace. (From hall) No. 

Frances. (Sliding from the chair arm and go - 
ing to other side of the table ) Poor Marmaduke. 
Do you think she likes the colonel ? 

Mary. Yes, I do, and I think she’s terribly sorry 
for having made the regulation No Men Allowed. 
I saw her smirking at him from the window. 

, Frances. He’s stopped bringing bouquets. 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


19 


43 - 


Mary. I hope she has falleii in love with him 
and is suffering* all she has mad£ us suffer. (Look- 
ing at her watch ) Mercy, it's quarter of nine. ( She 
jumps up ) Eve got to get reidy. You stay here 
and, above all things, don’t let Marmaduke upstairs, 
( She goes off at l. Frances iakes a hook from the 
shelf, seats herself comfortably in the morris chair 
and begins to read. Presently a tap is heard on the 
window. Frances jumps anj drops the book . An- 
other tap ) 

Polly. (Without) Let me in! ("Frances goes 
to zvindow and raises the shade) 

Frances. Polly Pratt, \yhat are you doing out 
there ? ( She opens the zffndow cautiously and 

Polly climbs in. She is dressed and coiffed in a 
bygone style like the rest, but strangely enough it 
just suits her and she looks like the girl of a minia- 
ture painting ) 

Polly. Oh, oh, oh, she almost caught me. 
("Frances closes the zvindow ) 

Frances. Who? Whai? What have you been 
doing? 

Polly. ( Coming dozvi front ) I’ve been out 
talking with him. I 

Frances. The artist ? 

Polly. Yes, and he’s wonderful and so kind, 
and he wants to paint my picture, and he’s coming 
to see us 

Frances. Didn’t you/ tell him about Marma- 
duke ? 


Polly. Yes, I told h 


m everything and he feels 


so bad for us. ( Smiling) But he’s glad she made 


me wear these clothes, 
coming. Are they, Fan ? 


He says they’re very be- 
( She turns herself about ) 


Frances. (Surveying her) Yes, dear, they’re 
lovely. What else did lie say? (She sits in chair 
down stage t.) How did you happen to meet him ? 


20 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


Polly. I was walking in the orchard and feeling 
so lonely when he called to me. He had been out 
to see the moon I guess, because he came from the 

hill. ' Mil 

Frances. (Much interested) What did he say? 

Polly. (Using her hands freely) He asked me 
whether I had seen it. I think. I can’t ju^t remem- 
ber, because I was terribly excited and then — and 
then we got talking and we had the nicest time. Oh, 
Fan, he’s lovely. 

Frances. But you must be careful, Polly dear. 

Suppose Mar (Enter Miss M. from l. } very 

much excited ) 

Miss M. ( Going straight up to Polly ) What 
is the meaning of this, I’d like to know? A young 
man rings up and asks me if he may paint Miss 
Polly Pratt’s portrait. 

Polly. Oh, what die you say ? 

Miss M. What did I say? There was but one 
thing to say. I refused. The young rascal had the 
audacity to tell me I dressed you most becom- 
ingly — 

Polly. Oh ! 

Miss M. Go upstairs and take off those clothes 
at once. 

Polly. (Bewildered) But — but these are the 
clothes you picked out for me. 

Miss M. Do as I say. ('Polly starts for door 
at r.J 

Polly. Shall I put on those ? 

Miss M. Those you wore when I came. 

Polly. But you have put them away and I don’t 
know where they are. 

Miss M. (Starting toward door at rJ I’ll find 
them to-morrow. (She takes Polly by the arm) 
It’s time you were in bed now. Come. (They go 
off at \r.) 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


21 


Frances. Well, that’s the worst yet. ^Mary en - , 
iers cautiously at l. She is dressed most becom- 
ingly and her hair is combed in the latest fashion ) 

Mary. (In a whisper) Has she gone upstairs? 

Frances. (Rising and facing her) Oh, don’t 
you look lovely ! I’m just crazy to get my old duds 
on again. 

Mary. I just had a signal from Dick, and Max 
and Paul are with him. 

Frances. Really? But I’ve got to change my 
dress. Where’s Grace? 

Mary. I’ve told her. Hurry up. Get ready and 
come down. It’s half past nine. 

Frances. But Marmaduke 

Mary. She thinks we’re in our roorris, of course, 
getting ready for bed. (Enter Grace becomingly 
gowned and coiffed) What do you think? Mar- 
maduke is wearing my black velvet dress. 

Frances and Mary. Your black velvet dress! 

Grace. The one I was going to wear to-night. 

Mary. What do you mean ? 

Grace. I couldn’t find it anywhere and when I 
went by her door just now it was partly open and 
I peeked in. There she was putting it on and preen- 
ing herself before the mirror like a peacock. 

Frances. Did you ever? 

Mary. Where do you suppose she’s going? 

Grace. Never mind now. Hurry, Fan, go up- 
stairs-— the back way, and corhe down to the orchard 
as quick as you can. Hark, I hear a whistle. 
They’re getting impatient. (^Frances goes off at lJ 
I had to put on my blue crepe and I don’t like it 
half as well as the other. Besides, Max always 
liked the other. There’s that whistle again. ( Enter 
Polly from r.J 

Polly. Where are you two going? 

Grace. Hush. Down to the orchard. 


22 MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 
Polly. Then Pm going. 

Grace. No, you aren’t. You are to keep guard 
and unlock the door for us. ' 

Polly. I think you’re mean. 

Mary. Yes, Polly, be a good girl. You may 
want us to help you some time. 

Grace. Besides, you’ve had your meeting. ( En- 
ter Frances completely enveloped in her fur coat 
and wearing a large hat ) 

Frances. I didn’t bother to change my dress. 
Probably Marmaduke has it anyway. Come on. 
f G race, Frances and Mary go off at l.) 

Polly. ( Going to window and peeking out ) Oh, 
dear. ( A whistle sounds beneath the window ) 

Who is it? (She raises the zvindow) Who is it? 
What do you want ? ( Pause and silence ) That’s 

funny. ( Polly goes off at l. Marmaduke enters 
at r. She is dressed in Grace’s black velvet, 
Frances’ picture hat and is altogether gorgeous. 
For a second she arranges herself , listens, then puts 
out the lights and goes off at r. Polly returns at l.) 

Polly. Who’s here ? Oh, dear, what a spooky 
house! (She puts on the lights) Frances! Mary! 
(Tap at the window. Polly starts) 

Mary. (Without) Let me in, quick ! It’s Mary. 
fPoLLY runs to the window and opens it ) 

Polly. For heaven’s sake, what are you doing? 
Why have you come back ? 

Mary. ( Scrambling in ) I was afraid. I think 
Marmaduke is onto us. Put out the lights. ( She 
shuts the window ) 

Polly. No, it’s better to appear as if 

Mary. But she thinks we’re in bed. 

Polly. What did you do with Dick? 

Mary. ( Coming down front) I sent him home. 
We’re engaged anyway and so I should worry, and 
this state of affairs can’t keep up forever. 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


23 


Polly. ( Coming down front ) I should hope 
not. (A few loud taps on the window) Oh, dear, 
who is it now? I shall have nervous prostration. 

Frances and Grace. (Without) Let us in. 
Quick! Quick! ^Mary rushes to the window , 
opens it, and Frances and Grace, much out of 
breath and very excited, enter ) 

Grace. Mar — Mar — Mar 

Mary. For pity’s sake, say it. 

Frances. Oh, what do you suppose? Mar- 

Polly. If you don’t tell us quick I’ll shake you. 

Grace. Marmaduke is down by the big apple 
tree with — with 

Frances. Colonel Amberson ! 

Polly. ( Flopping on the window seat ) NO ! 

Grace. She is, and we almost bumped into her. 

Frances. It was dark as pitch and Grace and I 
were hurrying along when we heard voices. 

Grace. I thought it was Mary and Dick, of 
course — when all of a sudden 

Frances. • (Covering her face with her hands) 
Oh, it was awful. 

Grace. There stood Marmaduke as grand as you 
please, vis a vis with the colonel. 

Polly. ( In an hysterical shriek ) Did she see 

you ? 

Mary. Hush, Polly. 

Frances. No. ( She laughs ) 

Grace. See us! They were so taken up with 
each other they wouldn’t have noticed if we had 
bumped into them. 

Mary. (Fervently) Thank the Lord! 

Polly. But where are the boys? 

Frances. Gone, of course. When they saw 
Marmaduke and the colonel they just naturally fled. 

Polly. Of all things. (They laugh) Then it 
was he that whistled underneath the window. 


24 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


Mary. We’d better be careful. She'll be com- 
ing back soon. 

Frances. She’ll ruin my black velvet and it’s the 
best dress I’ve got. 

Grace. Imagine her down there in Fan’s black 
velvet in a clandestine meeting with the colonel. 
Oh, won’t we give her a reception when she comes 
home . ( W hifls ab o u t ) 

Frances. ( Catching Grace ) We,’ll make her 
take back all her crazy old rules. 

Polly. ( Pirouetting and singing ) Oh, what a 
jolly time we’ll have with Marmaduke. 

Mary. Plush ! (In a . whisper ) Put out the 
lights and hide. When she comes through here we’ll 
catch her. 

Polly. (Deeply impressed) Oh! 

Frances. Grace, get near the electric button and 
when she comes in switch on the lights and we’ll all 
face her. 

Grace. ( Dramatically ) Ah ! ( She strides to 

her place and crouches just below the electric but- 
ton. The rest laugh hilariously. The front door 
slams ) 

Polly. She’s come ! ( Grace switches off the 

lights and the rest, with smothered giggles, stumble 
to hiding-places and crouch themselves into heaps. 
A moment of silence and Miss Marmaduke enters 
and starts to cross the room. Suddenly the lights 
are switched on and the four girls rise from 
their hiding-places, each pointing a finger at 
her ) 

Miss M. ( Staggering back ) I — I Ah ! 

What is it? 

Mary. (In reproachful tones) Miss Marma- 
duke ! 

Grace. My black velvet! 

Frances. My hat ! 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 25 

Polly. You can’t fool us. You’ve been out 
with the colonel ! 

Miss M. I — I 

Mary. It’s no use denying it! We saw you — 
and him ! 

Frances. “In the shade of the old apple tree.” 

Mary. You might as well ’fess up! 

Miss M. (Beginning to weep) You won’t tell 
your father! 

Frances. ( T easing ) Perhaps. 

Polly. (Trying not to laugh) You know, Miss 
Marmaduke, you haven’t always been too kind to us. 

Miss M. (Between sobs) I know. But I didn’t 
understand. Now I do-o. And the colonel’s such 

a dear ! He’s going to remodel his house for me 

Oh, you won’t spoil it all by telling your father of 
these meetings? 

Mary. We won’t — provided! 

The Rest. PROVIDED ! 

Mary. That you allow us to dress as we please! 

Miss M. I will, I will. 

Frances. That you let us comb our hair as we 
please. 

Miss M. I will, I will. 

Grace. That you let us entertain our friends, 
male or female, as often as we please. 

Miss M. Yes, yes. 

Polly. That — that you’ll try to like artists. 

Miss M. I will. 

Mary. (To girls) Is everyone suited? (They 
nod . To Miss M.J Then it’s an agreement! 

Miss M. (With a sigh of relief) I’m grateful 
to you all, I’m sure, and I ask your forgiveness for 
— for things in — the past. 

Polly. Now don’t you think men are nice? 

Miss M. Delightful. (With enthusiasm) What 
do you say if we have a party to-morrow and in- 


26 


MISS MARMADUKE’S REIGN 


vite our beaux! (The last word spoken with be- 
coming shyness ) 

Frances. Lovely. 

Polly. Oh ! 

Mary. A heavenly idea! 

Grace. Miss Marmaduke, you’re £ peach. 

Miss M. (Starting toward the door at the l.J 
Come, let’s go to bed. We’ll need some beauty 
sleep. Pull down the shade, Polly, f P olly goes 
to the window , locks it and pulls down the shade . 
Frances and Grace rearrange the chairs . Mary 
goes and puts out the lights ) 

Miss M. (From doorway) Frances, you 
wouldn’t mind if I wore the black velvet. He — he 
likes it. 

Frances. (At peace with the world) Not at 
all, old dear. Wear it. (They go off in darkness) 

CURTAIN 


r 


JUST PUBLISHED 

Nothing But the Truth 

A Farcical Comedy in Three Acts 

By 

James Montgomery 
Cast of Characters 

Bob Bennett 
B. M. Ralston 
Clarence Van Dusen 
Bishop Doran 
Dick Donnelly 
Gwen 

Mrs. Ralston 

Ethel 

Mable 

Sable 

Martha 

C . SCENES 

ACT 1. A Broker’s Office 

ACT 2. Parlor of a Country Home 

ACT 3 44 4 4 4 4 4 4 

TIME: The Present 

“Nothing’ But the Truth” is built upon the simple idea 
of its hero speaking nothing but the absolute truth for a 
stated period. He bets a friend ten thousand dollars 
that he can do it, and boldly tackles truth to win the 
money. For a very short time the task is placidly easy, 
but Truth routs out old man Trouble and then things be- 
gin to happen. Trouble doesn’t seem very large and 
aggressive when he first pokes his nose into the noble 
resolve of our hero, but he grows rapidly and soon we 
see our dealer in truth disrupting the domestic relations 
of his partner. In fact, Trouble works overtime, and 
reputations that have been unblemished are smirched. 
Situations that are absurd and complications almost 
knotted, pile up, all credited to Truth, and the result of 
the wager to foster and cherish that great virtue from 
the lips of the man who has espoused the cause of truth 
to win a wager. 

It is a novel idea and so well has it been worked out 
that an audience is kept in throes of laughter at the 
seemingly impossible task to untangle snarls into which 
our hero has involved all those he comes into contact 
with. It is a clean bright farce of well drawn characters 
and was built for laughing purposes only. 

William Collier played “Nothing But the Truth” for a 
year at the Longacre Theatre, New York, and it has been 
on tour for over two seasons. 

After three years continuous success on the profess- 
ional stage we are now offering “Nothing But the Truth” 
for amateur production. It is one of the funniest and 
brightest farces ever written, and it is admirably suited 
to amateur production. 

Price 6o Cents 







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